CLASS DESCRIPTION

Build a following and a brand. Add creativity to your business. You are the content creator, you are an influencer. Do you have a product to sell, or a statement to make, or do you know a humanitarian problem that needs action? Don’t know what brand to promote? Don’t worry. Students will start with an aptitude test and a business ideas quiz to create a spark. Is it food, recycling, research, artwork, animals or how-to videos? Whatever it is, this is the place to promote your idea with colorful graphics, digital art, thoughtful copy and website technology tools!

First, students will get inspired by looking at existing brands and influencers and how they exist in the marketplace and their approach to design, marketing and information management.

Next, students will define their own brand and start creating digital content. Weekly projects will go beyond the traditional business card. Explore logos created with artificial intelligence. Use QR codes to promote website links. Learn the way color communicates ideas. Fashion a style guide. Discover the impact our audience has on design decisions. Express ideas using images and information graphics. Edit copy generated by artificial intelligence to create content for blogs and social media.

Finally, students determine the publishing needs of their brand. What customization is needed in terms of layout and design? Do you only need to display information, or do you want to sell a product? We will cover different website tools and platforms and the customization features that cost extra and then choose the right one for each student’s project.

Students can work individually or in groups. Students can use ANY software and ANY phone app to create the building blocks for their brand. There are many free graphic and website editing tools students may already be using. Adobe apps and software is what you will see me using in class. Adobe now offers free apps like Adobe Camera, Photoshop Express and Adobe Express to make graphics and websites. If you invest in the Adobe Creative Cloud for students you can publish your brand using Adobe Dreamweaver. I will also cover other website editors and publishing tools including Wordpress, Canva, Smugmug, Shopify, Printify, Ebay and Etsy. Use the software that is best for your ability and project. Publishing support provided. Brand publishing results will vary by student.

Not required:
Adobe Photography plan (20GB) $9.99/month or
Student Creative Cloud All Apps starting at $19.99/mo
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

What is Adobe Express?
Adobe Express is made for flyers and websites and quick graphics. It has lots of templates and is user friendly. if you’re familiar with Canva, they are similar tools. You can also use Canva too if you prefer. I won’t argue that Canva could be a better developed software however I am committed to using Adobe tools and there are some exciting features in Express. If you decide to make a purchase consider the following:

Create an Adobe account if you do not already have one
https://creativecloud.adobe.com/https://creativecloud.adobe.com

Download Adobe Express Free Version
Free version that students should install here: https://www.adobe.com/express/

Or Buy Adobe Express Full Version
There is also a paid full version of Adobe Express which has some more premium features. Adobe Express full version is $9.99
https://www.adobe.com/express/

What other Adobe plans should I consider?
If you are in both Photoshop Tutorials and Build Your Brand or have the interest, consider the Adobe Photoshop/Photography plan for $19.99 which has Photoshop and has the full version of Adobe Express included as well.

TYPESY.COM

Students will receive a login to Typsey.com This is a program that I am using for The Office class however it has relevant information for this class as well and I decided to provide all of the students in Build Your Brand with this tool. There are resources and lessons students may wish to explore at home. Some of our class assignments will come from here. I’ll be sending login information to the students on MYE.

***If you would like to use Typsey for a sibling or a friend they can join our 23/24 school group account for $20 paid directly to me. Students not in one of my classes will have their names begin with “Eagle” to differentiate them from students in class.

BULD YOUR BRAND and LAPTOPS, CHROMEBOOKS, IPADS & TECH SUPPORT

I will be teaching using the desktop version of Adobe Express, or other software, from my laptop or Mac desktop. I know all of these computers and laptops are expensive and there are so many variations. That said, I am sure you can understand that I will not be able to fully support every device that each student has in class. If they are struggling with their device or if students are not using a standard laptop and they have software issues, they will need to see me after class to resolve. There are so many nuances in these programs across devices from desktop to tablet that I may not anticipate. To that avail, I am trying to avoid too much tech support during class time by asking students to use the laptop version of Adobe software.

Outside of class time, I will be available to help with your computer troubles etc. My computers give me grief all the time, and I will do my best to support students technical issues outside of class time in order to benefit the most students during class time. Thank you for understanding.

GRADES

This class is not graded. Assignments are given. All student work is reviewed in class and feedback is given. Your student is an A student if they are attending my class. I teach to the student, not a curriculum per se. Software skills shouldn't be rushed. I circle back to all the students and check in on their work. If you choose to keep student grades and formally count this for a credit towards core or extra curricular, then documenting can be as easy as checking off approximately 150 calendar days that your child worked in this subject for a full credit. Keep at least two pieces of work, from the beginning and end of the course for portfolio review and/or your records. This can be a simple screenshot, or a picture, or even some notes or drawings. If you need an accompanying ISBN number that goes with the topics taught in this class and is also high school level check out these titles. Please contact me with any questions or if you want more individual feedback on your student and assignments. 

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

https://a.co/d/ci1fM92